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From: Doug Lloyd <douglloyd_at_shaw.ca> subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Happy feet/ spare paddle storage Date: Thu, 03 May 2007 20:45:30 -0700 · This archive was generated by hypermail 2.4.0 : Thu Aug 21 2025 - 16:33:44 PDT

Yes, I realize the Zen isn't a sit-on-top surf ski. But not everyone lives 
in California, Hawaii, or South Africa. :-)

I take it surf skis are fast due to waterline length and narrow width. I 
find I can keep up fine with most paddlers in longer kayaks that my Nordkapp 
(longer waterline) but I do get tired by the end of a long day keeping pace. 
Some boats I can't pass, like a Seda Glider, despite valiant efforts. 
However, once seas and wind build significantly, I can run circles around 
these guys in my kayak.

I like the idea of going lighter; maybe I should pick up a plastic Tempest 
locally, cheap, for rock garden play. Problem is, I like to rock garden play 
on remote trips, with all my gear aboard. Kayaks are so specific. It is hard 
to find a boat that can do it all.

The new P&H boats look promising. The new Cetus even has a sandwich hatch on 
the foredeck like I designed into my Nordkapp. Hopefully a Cetus LV will 
come out one day. Check out the cool black Carbon/Kevlar P&H at the bottom.

http://www.savannahcanoeandkayak.com/p&h%20sea%20kayaks.htm

As you can tell, I'm at a crossroads with sea kayaking right now, in terms 
of design, construction, and fitness paddling vs play vs tripping. Duane 
certainly comes up with his own homemade boats that I assume perform well 
(not sure if he kept the Elsmere that he modified with a longer skeg portion 
on the keel). I could build a very nice marine ply/glass boat faster than a 
strip, well budgeted, and maybe built it like the Betsy Bay boys do, with 
stronger epoxy fillets at the chines. I'd build mine with more glass layers 
though.

Thing is, I also know paddlers who have built ply boats, them moved on to 
strip built, then finally just bought a fiberglass kayak. (To me, SOF's are 
for fun rolling and other traditional pursuits).

Doug L

> On Wed, 02 May 2007 22:34:17 -0700, "Doug Lloyd" <douglloyd_at_shaw.ca>
> said:
>> Epic, eh? I like the Zen boat:
>> http://www.zensport.co.nz/net/product/details.aspx?p=8
>
> Where's the weight?  The epic I refered to was 7.5 to 8 kg.
>
>> Cool rudder option, too.
>>
>> http://www.zensport.co.nz/net/product/details.aspx?p=6
>
> Bulkheads?
>
> That's looking like a drybag boat to me.  I wouldn't want to swim in
> surf with a drybag boat.
>
> I know you can tie drybags into the boat, I simply prefer sealed hull
> compartments.
>
> The zen looks like a fun go fast boat.  Are you ready to give up some
> turning ability?  Although you are used to the tanker, I mean, Nordkapp.
>
>> So, I thought the idea of having a carbon sea kayak and converting to as
>> much carbon equipment as possible was so my net weight would stay the
>> same but allow me to buy and carry even more gear! :-)
>
> Now that's not the thought process of a true go-lite weenie ;-)
>
> If it doesn't fit in your pfd, or fanny pack it's excess.
>
> Sealed hull boat, tether, flares, radio/cell phone, water, food,
> whistle.  What more is there ;-)
>
> You're only a day paddler, in a populated area right....
>
> I would have to spend time with the Epic V10E before I would trust it.
> I've owned one underbuilt boat, trusting your hull is a good thing...
>
> Kirk
> -- 
>  Kirk Olsen
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